Simon Nare
Forensic investigator Paul O’Sullivan is expected to testify in person on Tuesday at parliament’s ad hoc committee probing allegations of corruption and political interference in the criminal justice system.
The SABC reported on Monday that O’Sullivan told the broadcaster he would attend “with full security in place”.
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O’Sullivan had asked to testify virtually, citing security concerns. The committee, however, refused the request, with chairperson Soviet Lekganyane and other MPs criticising O’Sullivan’s tone and comments about parliament.
“Mr Paul O’Sullivan has insulted the Parliament of this country. He has cast aspersions on members of this committee, calling them criminals. This is not something we can simply ignore. This conduct amounts to contempt of Parliament and contempt of its own processes,” Lekganyane said.
National Assembly Speaker Thoko Didiza refused to issue subpoenas – at the committee’s request — for either O’Sullivan or North West businessman Brown Mogotsi, whose appearance has also been contested.
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Didiza said the records she had seen indicated O’Sullivan did not refuse to appear, but instead formally applied to testify virtually because of security concerns — an option permitted under the committee’s own terms of reference.
This is a developing story.
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